Mixing Problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter Soundorman
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Soundorman

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Hey,
I am having trouble with mixing. We have a peavey system with a 23 channel mixer. plenty of amp power and running 2 seperate Alesis 20band EQ's, we setup 1 for the monitors and the other for the mains to control feedback. The problem is that we seem to have too much peak and low's on Vocals and I was wondering if a
Compressor/Expander/Limiter will solve my problem. And how does a Compressor/Expander/Limiter actually work and what is a decent one to get?
Thanks
Sounderman
 
You're using a PA system to mix with???????? That's an exercise in huge frustration right there -- PA systems are about as useless for studio mixing as a a monkey with a Neve!

First of all, the mixer itself is going to be quite noisy, but the real problem is the monitors -- while they're great for live work, they're completely useless for making any sort of mixing decisions in a recording environment.
 
Are talking about "mixing" as it relates to live sound?

I don't know anyone that would try to use a PA as nearfields :eek: :eek: (you deaf...WHAT) or even main playback monitors. I know some have put up room mics and recorded the output of a PA but trying to mix with one in a studio environment....no way.
 
My mistake

Hello
I guess I didn't explain myself clearly enough, We are mixing live sound we are not recording. Why I was asking about the compressor is because sometimes the singers get to excited,lol and its causing sporadic highs and at times they are too low and I have to constantly adjust gains and I figured that a compressor would help me control the peaks and lows sorta like keeping the sound loop within borders. If thats what a compressor will do for me,please let me know and what kind of compressor should I be looking for?

Thanks
"Sounderman"
 
Soundorman said:
Hello
I guess I didn't explain myself clearly enough, We are mixing live sound we are not recording. Why I was asking about the compressor is because sometimes the singers get to excited,lol and its causing sporadic highs and at times they are too low and I have to constantly adjust gains and I figured that a compressor would help me control the peaks and lows sorta like keeping the sound loop within borders. If thats what a compressor will do for me,please let me know and what kind of compressor should I be looking for?

Thanks
"Sounderman"
Click to expand...

Yes A Compressor/limiter will help the vocals but, if the singer is really all over the place, you'll also need a good soundman. In addition, I'd recommend usinng one on the the kick & snare drum, as well.
 
Compression certainly can help, but it can also introduce new problems such as feedback. Personally, I hardly ever compress kick or snare whether it be live or in the studio. In the studio however I do often (well almost always) compress the drum buss as a whole.
 
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